A cold wind did not deter pet owners from taking part in West New York’s first annual pet fair last Saturday. Over 100 dogs, as well as a handful of cats and one hardy hamster made the most of the fair.

It was held at Donnelly Doggie Park, located on 57th Street and Boulevard East, on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mayor Felix Roque and the Board of Commissioners along with the co-sponsor, The North Hudson Rotary Club, ran the fair.

Several businesses donated their time and services.Veterinarian Carlos Triana of Summit Animal Clinic was there, as well as Groom Service, which is a mobile pet spa. P.I. Paws and V.I.P Canine were all available for pet needs.

Triana was busy throughout the fair with the 60 microchips and 70 rabies shots that he performed on cats and dogs.

V.I.P Canine had their own giveaways: free grooming, and free walks for one week or free boarding overnight.

The town’s animal control office was able to complete 40 new dog registrations. Typically, towns encourage pets to be registered so they get the proper shots to prevent the spread of disease. It also helps if the animal goes missing.

“This is a lot of information for what people really need, especially the rabies shots,” said Rotary Club President Nikki Mederos. “It’s a wonderful community outreach service for our town.”

“So many of us are pet lovers, and the Count was telling me that there was a need especially in this area,” said Mederos. “A lot of people who have animals don’t have the money to get rabies shots, ear cleaning, nail cleaning, or [microchip] implants.”

The town is making pets a priority with the initiation of the pet fair.

“The big thing for me as a Commissioner…was especially the registrations,” said Wiley. “Now there’s an event to make them more accessible to do it.”

According to Mederos, the Rotary Club is planning to repeat the event in June of 2013.